FC releases January Ranking for 2013 NHL Draft

For the first time, there’s a new top dog among eligibles for the 2013 NHL Draft according to Future Considerations scouts.

After standout performances at the World Junior Championship and CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, defenseman Seth Jones has overtaken Halifax Mooseheads forward Nathan MacKinnon as the top prospect in June’s draft.

Jones, who also had a spectacular run with the Portland Winterhawks including being named Hockey Soda Energy draft eligible Defenseman of the Month for December, has previously been behind MacKinnon since preliminary rankings came out last June. As a rookie in the WHL, the six-foot-four, 205-pound Jones has eight goals and 31 points in 37 games, including 12 points in his last 12 outings.

New to the top-10 is Darnell Nurse of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Previously ranked 12th, the towering six-foot-four defenseman has made his debut among the draft’s elite and trails just Jones as the draft’s top draft eligible.